Amid tensions on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea has deployed new long-range cruise missiles that could strike “any place” in North Korea.

According to the BBC News, “a defense ministry official said the missiles had a range of 1,000km (625 miles) and could hit any of Pyongyang’s nuclear or missile sites.”

The rare announcement had occurred due to tensions on the peninsula that follows a failed rocket launch conducted by North Korea. Pyongyang announced it was launching a satellite, but critics claimed it was actually a banned test of long-range missile technology.

South Korea’s Major General Shin Won-sik told journalists that; “our military will sternly and thoroughly punish reckless provocations by North Korea while maintaining our firm readiness.”

As reported by the BBC, “a ballistic missile with a range of 300km has also been deployed. The announcement came hours after North Korea lashed out at Seoul for its criticism of the rocket launch, which it said was to commemorate the centenary of the birth of founding leader Kim Il-sung.”

Pyongyang pledged to wage a “sacred war” if the South refuses to apologize, as declared in a statement in KCNA, a state media. The North is promising to “blow up” Seoul.